A. Historical Background
1) Jesus's Life
a) Joseph was the legal father of Jesus. According to biblical information, an angel appeared to Mary, a virgin, and alleged to her that she would bear a child who would be the Son of God.
b) Jesus, also called Jesus of Galilee or Jesus of Nazareth, was born in Bethlehem of Judea, about 6 miles (9.7 kilometers) from Jerusalem.
c) Guided by the words of an angel, shepherds came to the birth of Jesus, and knelt in love before the holy child lying in a manger.
d) Wise men made a journey to Bethlehem see Jesus; they followed a bright star that is now called the star of Bethlehem
e) When Jesus was approaching 30 years of age, a prophet appeared, declared the near approach of the lengthy expected Messiah.
f) In order to get ready to be a minister, Jesus set off into the wilderness, for forty days and forty nights, he fasted and resisted temptation.
After returning, a group gathered of disciples who recognized him as the Messiah (aka Christ) Jesus chose 12 apostles to spread his message, he told them to give up all ties to family and work in order to become the "fishers of men"
g) Followers of Jesus, and Jesus, went through the settlements in Galilee and the countryside surrounding Galilee preaching the message of religious reform and divine love. Jesus preformed miracles and had healing powers. He taught through parables, and told that every person could be saved.
h) Jesus' ministry was opposed by the Pharisees because of his interest in the poor, and because his disapproval of the Jewish society. (Jesus saw that many of the Pharisees followed only the letter of the commandments and forgot the spirit. For this he denounced them). They accused...
Links and books where info is from
Author: B.A. Robinson
http://www.religioustolerance.org/worldr el.htm
http://environment.harvard.edu/religion/r eligion/christianity/bibliography.html
Copyright © 2004 Forum on Religion and Ecology.
Copyright © 1998 to 2005 by Ontario Consultants on Religious Tolerance
Author: Bruce A Robinson
http://www.religioustolerance.org/christ .htm
Author: Marilyn Adamson
http://everystudent.com/features/isthere. html
Christian Classics Ethereal Library
at Calvin College.
http://www.ccel.org/php/wwec.php
Josep h Keating
Transcribed by Theodore L.P. Rego
http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/03712a.htm
The Catholic Encyclopedia, Volume III
Copyright © 1908 by Robert Appleton Company
Online Edition Copyright © 2003 by K. Knight
web site copyright 1995-2005 wgbh educational foundation
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontlin e/shows/religion/
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